Heroes is a covers album to end all covers albums. Not only does it include some of the most impressive collaborators in musical history, it provides a unique sense of one generation of songwriters giving their approval to their modern counterparts.
For the record, legendary songwriters – and we’re talking the caliber of Dylan, McCartney, Springsteen, Wilson and Wonder here – were asked to pick an artist to cover one of their own tracks.
The result is classic songs given a reworking by some of the best talent around today in aid of the charity War Child, which works with children whose lives have been blighted by war.
Here some of the artists talk to SFTW about getting involved.
Elbow’s Guy Garvey tells us about covering U2’s “Running To Stand Still :
We have worked with War Child in the past and they approached us when U2 said they would like us to cover one of their songs. We are very honored to be part of the record. “Running To Stand Still was always a favorite when we were in little practice rooms in Bury, all that time ago.
This is very much our arrangement of the track but the theme and melody of the song are completely intact. We’re playing all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order. U2 are very much a part of our history.
War Child does exactly what it says on the tin. By paying our taxes we contribute to buying and manufacturing arms. There are not enough mechanisms in place for cleaning up after the war pigs.
Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears on being picked by Roxy Music:
We were probably chosen to cover Roxy Music’s “Do The Strand because there is a musical place where both bands cross paths.
After years of being a huge Roxy Music fan, I discovered that what I had always thought of as pop songs from Mars are actually very idiosyncratic, complex compositions. They are a difficult band to cover.
A friend of mine first introduced me to Roxy Music during the recording of our first record.
I don’t know if you’d call it inspiration or just ripping them off. Fans of both bands must see right through us.
“Do The Strand is a killer song, with very, very, weird lyrics. If you want to “Do The Strand in the style of the Scissor Sisters, braid your hair with five other people and then get on the floor and roll around with them like a boiling pot of spaghetti.
Babydaddy and I recorded with most of the Roxy members a couple of years ago, for their unseen and unheard new album. Whether or not the songs will ever see the light of day, I don’t know.
But it was a dream and a pleasure being in the studio with them. The thing I love about this record is it was an artistic challenge in the name of helping people out.
Duffy on being picked by Paul McCartney:
When I found out that Paul McCartney had selected me to cover his track “Live and Let Die , the first thing I did was call my mum. He has written some of the best songs ever, so it was a great honor.
The original version is really exciting and unpredictable but for my version, I wanted to present it as a song, rather than as a big, exciting production. I wanted the sentiment to come through. Of course, I was slightly daunted. Part of me was thinking, I hope Mr McCartney won’t hate it but at the same time I just concentrated on singing it.
I’m really pleased to support War Child. Children are vulnerable at the best of times and these children didn’t choose to be born in a war zone. They deserve the same chances as everyone else.
Ray Davies on picking The Kooks to cover “Victoria :
The Kooks covering “Victoria was just one of those coincidences that cannot be planned or organized. I think the song chose us both. The Kooks had just recorded a great album called “Konk at Konk Studios so I guess it was the power of the letter K that brought us together.
I think “Victoria stands the test of time. Any band that writes about their world and their personal experiences rather than just trying to recapture or relive another genre, has a good chance of doing that.
The Kooks’ version of “Victoria keeps the overall shape of the song and they have added new dynamics to the arrangements.
The short instrumental break before the solo is quite unique. I think everyone should do as much as they can to help anyone in distress or hardship. All the participants on this album are helping in their own small way with what is a very big problem.
If I was asked to cover a track for War Child, it would probably be a “Woody Guthrie song or anything by the Sex Pistols.
On second thoughts, I’d like to contribute a song I wrote in the past but never released about a child growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
Estelle on being picked by Stevie Wonder to cover “Superstition :
I was so honored that Stevie Wonder asked me to contribute to the War Child album. I’ve been told that his daughter is a massive fan of mine. He also chose the track “Superstition . He’s a huge inspiration to me.
He’s one of those super-talented people who changes the aura of a situation. When we were younger, me and my sisters used to clean the house to “Songs In The Key Of Life and we’d sing at the tops of our voices. His music has always been in my life.
We recorded “Superstition at Electric Ladyland studios in New York, which is where Stevie did the original version. We used the same keyboard and the same desk.
War Child is important to me personally. My mother was born in Senegal and has lived all over Africa. I have family there and I love the work that War Child is doing across the continent and in other regions too.
Sometimes in conflict zones, it’s easy to get into the politics and look at who is right and who is wrong but at the end of the day, it’s the children who suffer. I love the fact that the focus of War Child is on the children.
Lilly Allen on covering The Clash’s “Straight To Hell :
Even though Joe Strummer was my godfather, I was quite taken aback to be asked to cover “Straight To Hell . Some bands you just don’t cover and The Clash are one of them. But I suppose because “Straight To Hell is a B-side (to Should I Stay Or Should I Go), it wasn’t like doing “London Calling .
It seemed like something fun to get stuck in to and I love Mick Jones – I’ve known him years. So, yes, I think it is brilliant.
Hopefully, I will be able to get more involved with War Child because I think they are a really great charity.
Rufus Wainwright on being picked by Brian Wilson:
I’ve been aware of War Child’s work before. They told me their latest project was an established pop star had to choose a modern artist who they’d like to sing one of their songs.
I guess Brian Wilson chose me. When Brian Wilson calls, you answer. It was a real honor to be chosen by him to do a medley of his songs because not only is he a great star and a great talent but he’s also a really honest person.
I don’t think he’s capable of telling a lie. So when I found out that he wanted me, I knew it was very heartfelt. I didn’t hesitate to say yes. War Child is a great cause.
On TV we are constantly bombarded by horrific images of children in war zones. It’s important to realize they are real people, real children and that they need real help and real love.
This article was first published by The Sun on Feb. 27.
